A.

Functions of the Endocrine System

1. Metabolism
2. Control of food intake and digestion
I. Overview of the Endocrine System
3. Tissue development
4. Ion regulation
● Made up of GLANDS that release
5. Water balance
hormones into the bloodstream
6. Heart rate and blood pressure
● Hormones are chemical "messengers" regulation
that control numerous body functions 7. Control of blood glucose and other
nutrients
● Allow for the maintenance of internal 8. Control of Reproductive functions
homeostasis or the internal 9. Uterine contraction and milk release
environment in the body 10. Immune System regulation

● Allow the regulation of growth and ● HYPOTHALAMUS and PITUITARY

development of an organism. - are in the brain

A. Major Glands of the Endocrine System ● PARATHYROIDS

- are in the neck and sit on the
THYROID

● THYMUS
- is found behind the breastbone

● ADRENALS
- sit on the kidneys

● PANCREAS
- is in the abdomen

● TESTES
- are in the scrotum

● OVARIES
- are in the hip area

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 B. Functions of Endocrine Glands

The ovaries in females and testes in males are

also endocrine glands.

C. Transport of Hormones

● Hormones are transported throughout

the body by the bloodstream to ALL
cells

● A given hormone usually affects only a

limited number of cells called target
cells

● Only the TARGET CELLS with the

RECEPTOR for the hormone will be
affected by that hormone.

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Activities Controlled by Hormones ● Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)-
stimulates growth of the thyroid gland
● Activities of entire organs
● Mood ● Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)-
● Growth and development stimulates growth of the adrenal gland
● Reproduction
● Sexual characteristics ● Follicle stimulating Hormone (FSH) –
● Usage and storage of energy growth of the ovarian follicles,
● Levels of fluid, salt and sugar in the production of estrogen in females; &
blood production of sperm in males

II. Endocrine Glands ● Luteinizing Hormone (LH) – stimulates

ovulation and produces progesterone in
A. Pituitary Gland females

Function: “Master Gland” that communicates ● Oxytocin – released during childbirth;

with the hypothalamus to control many body causes contraction of the uterus
activities
- Link between the nervous and Diseases of Pituitary
endocrine systems
Gigantism
Location: Tiny structure about the size of a - Over-secretion of growth hormone
grape at the base of the brain prior to puberty

- Connected to the hypothalamus (part Excessive growth of long bones

of the brain)
Treatment: drug therapy to inhibit GH release

Dwarfism
- Under-production of growth hormone
during childhood
- Long bone growth is decreased
- Body is proportioned and intelligence is
normal
Hormones of the Pituitary: Produces &
secretes NINE hormones that affect other - Treatment: early diagnosis& injections
glands and organs of GH for 5 or more yrs.

● Growth Hormone (GH)- growth

hormone; helps fat be used for energy

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B. Thyroid Gland nervousness, irregular menstrual
periods in women.
Function: regulates metabolism, growth and
development, and blood calcium levels Treatment: anti-thyroid medication, surgical
removal of thyroid.
Location: Butterfly shaped mass found in neck
in front of the trachea; shaped like an H Graves Disease
- Severe form of hyperthyroidism
- More common in women

Symptoms: strained and tense facial

expression, nervous, irritability

Goiter - enlarged swelling of thyroid in neck

Hypothyroidism (Myxedema)

- Under-production of thyroxine causes

slow metabolism
I. Hormones of the Thyroid Gland
Causes weight-gain without trying, depression,
Thyroxine – increases metabolic rate; fatigue, puffiness of face, hands and feet
regulates growth and development
Treatment: thyroid-replacement hormone
- Requires iodine to be produced, which is drugs, like Levothyroxine
found in foods and iodized salt
Cretinism
Calcitonin – lowers blood calcium by
accelerating storage in bones When hypothyroidism occurs since infancy or
childhood, growth and development are not
- 99% of calcium in the body is stored in occur normally
bones, necessary for blood clotting,
muscle contraction, and holding cells Lack of mental/physical growth resulting in
together mental retardation and malformation

Disease of the Thyroid Gland Sexual development and physical growth does
not reach beyond 7-8 year old children
● Hyperthyroidism
● Over-production of thyroxine increases C. Parathyroid Gland
metabolism
- Causes weight-loss, increased appetite, Function: raises blood calcium
fatigue, high blood pressure,

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Location: Four small glands behind the thyroid E. Pancreas
(size of grains of rice)
Function: maintains glucose homeostasis
Hormone of the Parathyroid (normal blood glucose levels) after eating

- Paratyroidhormone (PTH) – raises - Also functions as an exocrine gland -

blood calcium (opposite effect of secretes pancreatic juices that are
calcitonin from thyroid) to maintain carried to small intestines to aid in
proper levels of circulating calcium digestion) and

D. Adrenal Glands Location: Fish-shaped organ behind stomach

Function: Helps the body prepare for and deal Hormones of the Pancreas
with stress
Insulin – lowers blood glucose; promotes
Location: “Suprarenal” glands because storage of glycogen in liver and muscles
found above each kidney
Glucagon– raises blood glucose
Hormones of the Adrenal Gland
Diseases of Pancreas
Epinephrine (adrenaline) & Norepinephrine
released in emergency or stress situations to Diabetes Mellitus
raise blood glucose levels and prepare the
body for the “fight or flight” response - Decreased secretion of insulin can
affect metabolism of carbohydrates,
Cortisol: “stress hormone” that raises blood proteins, fats
glucose by stimulating the breakdown of - 2 types of D.M.
proteins
- Too much suppresses immune system

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F. Thymus H. Testes

Function: Active in early life activating cells in Function: stimulate sperm production and
the immune system male sex characteristics

- Atrophies (stops functioning) during Location: scrotal sac and suspended outside
puberty the body

Location: Mass of tissue found under the Hormone of the Testes

sternum
Testosterone - regulates sexual characteristics
Hormone of the Thymus Gland of male

Thymosin stimulates production of antibodies I. Pineal Gland

in early years
Function: regulates sleep/wake cycle

Location: in the brain

Hormone of the Pineal Gland

Melatonin- released at night to make you

sleepy; not released during the day

- Regulates the circadian rhythm

(24-hour biological clock)
G. Ovaries
III. Anabolic Steroids
Function: regulate menstruation and female
sexual characteristics - Synthetic form of testosterone used to
treat some diseases
Location: Located behind pelvic cavity
- Sometimes illegally abused by athletes
Hormones of the Ovaries to enhance performance and build
muscle mass
Estrogen – promotes growth and development
of sex organs in female IV. Endocrine System Maintains Homeostasis

Progesterone – maintains lining of the uterus Homeostasis means “the maintenance of

stable internal conditions in an organism”.

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Homeostasis is maintained though a system C. Leptin & Negative Feedback
called negative feedback
- Fat cells produce the hormone leptin
A. Negative Feedback Loop when they are filled.

- Through negative feedback, when the - Leptin is transported in the blood to the
amount of a particular hormone in the brain where it helps to suppress a
blood reaches a certain level, the person appetite.
endocrine system sends signals that
stop the release of that hormone. - When the fat is used, the amount of
leptin decreases, which causes the brain
- Sometimes a hormone with an to start to feel hunger again
opposing function may be released, if
needed

B. Pancreas & Negative Feedback

Secretes insulin and glucagon to regulate the

glucose (sugar) levels in the blood

1. Steps to Negative Feedback Involving the

Pancreas

STEP 1: The pancreas releases insulin when

there is too much sugar in the blood.

STEP 2: Insulin stimulates the liver to remove

sugar from the blood and store it as glycogen.

STEP 3: When there is not enough sugar in the

blood, the pancreas releases glucagon.

STEP 4: Glucagon signals the liver to release

glucose back into the blood